Provoke Radio, a Jesuit-sponsored program focusing on the work of “ordinary people doing extraordinary things” in the realm of faith-based social justice and peace, ended a four-and-a-half-year run with its final new program April 26.

“We’re simply out of funding,” the program’s writer and producer, Claire Hartman, told CNS. “We were sponsored by the Jesuits and they are no longer able to fund it. It was a sign of the times.”

The final program looks at the L’Arche communities, founded by Jean Vanier in France in 1964, and how people with and without disabilities develop loving, caring relationships.

Hosted by Jesuit Father Stephen Spahn, associate pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Washington, the program had been distributed to a slowly growing number of radio stations from New Jersey to California. But in today’s tight economy the order’s Maryland province ended its funding and the U.S. conference of Jesuits decided not to pick up the cost of the program, Hartman said.

“It’s a disappointment,” she said. “It filled a real niche. I think it was a great show that bridged the gap between what we’re taught and to live your faith in action.”

Hartman said Provoke Radio will continue to exist online for at least a few more months. Many of the 17 stations nationwide will continue to broadcast past programs. The full run of 96 programs is archived for downloading.